Aitutaki and Rarotonga paddlers making waves in Hawaii

Paddlers from Aitutaki and Rarotonga will represent the Cook Islands at the 20th IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championships 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii, from August 13 to 24.

Dani Adendorff from Aitutaki competed in the Women’s Open V1 500 for the first time.

“It’s an experience I’ll never forget,” Adendorf said.

She added that it has been a fantastic experience so far.

When competing, her goals are to not capsize in her canoe, stay in her lane and not come in last.

“I’m glad I was able to complete all of these tasks and learned a lot of valuable lessons.”

Adendorf was also surprised at the progress he made since the first round of the competition.

The Aitutaki team completed their V1 race yesterday and today the Aitutaki paddlers will start their V6 race.

The Under 19 Elite Women’s team from Rarotonga also completed the competition.

“This is a new and wonderful experience for all of us,” said Pourie Kaina, one of the team members.

“This is our first time doing sprint training together, so it’s a really great opportunity and learning experience.”

The Aitutaki Oewaka Club would like to thank its sponsors Stonefish Studios and the Jeffries family for sharing the vision of taking the team to the IVF World Sprint.

Each competitor received a complete travel kit, including rowing clothing fully sponsored by Stonefish Studios.

The club would like to thank all of their friends and family on the island for their support and would like to give a special thanks to Papa Orometua Ngaporohaki Taia and their proud parents.

The U19 Elite Rowing girls would like to send their warmest wishes to their sponsors TAV Pacific, Onu, BSP, TVK, CITC, Prime Foods, Purotu Spas, Emilene Designs, Ngakau Toa Vaka and the Cook Islands Canoe Association as well as friends and family.